Mark Foss

An Excerpt from Molly O

I found great comfort in rendering scenarios as precisely as possible, but Candy was a free spirit, even as a five-year-old. Instead of appearing guilty when I screeched out “Ring around the collar,” she slammed down the lid of the suitcase, and — my narrator trapped inside — I had to muffle my accusation. Instead of pouring liquid detergent on the stain, she squished a strawberry on the pocket and wiped juicy seeds all over it. Once she brought out a pair of scissors and made a snipping motion. I adjusted the narration as best I could. “We are having temporary difficulties. Please do not adjust your set.” This was where it all began — Candy’s silent performances and innate understanding of how to take power from men, and my need to restore normalcy at all costs.